MUS 115 006: SURVEY OF MUSIC LITERATURE Cultural Arts Building, 1023 TTR 5:00-6:15 p.m. Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Loparits Office: Cultural Arts Building 1018 Office hours: by appointment E-mail: loparitse@uncw.edu (preferred communication) Office phone: 910-962-7956 COURSE GOALS Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze, appreciate, and make cogent subjective judgments about musical works, using the terms and language of music. Develop a familiarity with the basics of musical history through assigned readings and lectures. Understand the larger socio-historical contexts of the musical works and the lives of their composers. Develop critical and analytical listening skills through analysis and evaluation of music considered high art, in distinction to popular music - which originates from a very different social context. Expression through discussion of works that in many cases contain substantially innovative content. Demonstrate knowledge of the role of the composer and performer of music in society, and often as one challenging the conventions of society. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION MUS 115, Survey of Music Literature, 3 credits. Overview of the masterworks and leading composers of the Western concert tradition of the past several centuries to the present. No previous musical background required. COURSE OVERVIEW Welcome to Survey of Music! This is a brief course on the history of European art music. We will have a look at a large field that forms an important part of the Western heritage. An introduction to musical terms, concepts and instruments will be followed by a survey of some of the musical high points of the last 300 years. Text: Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. 7 th, brief ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
EXPECTATIONS AND EVALUATION A. Listening: Hear each piece a number of times. This is the best way of getting to know any music, especially music in a style new to you. Listening will be assigned regularly. Tests will include listening questions based on the pieces we have studied. B. Reading: Assignments will include readings from the text. The book provides a framework for the facts, history, and concepts discussed in class. The terminology that will be vital for class, for your papers, and for tests is all here. C. 1. Concert Attendance. There is a great difference between hearing music in front of speakers and hearing it live. Hearing music in concert is a vital, often exciting part of the experience. For this reason, the course requirements include going to at least FOUR (4) live performances. The criterion is that the primary material on each program be concert music, i.e. the category of music primarily heard in class. Thus no exclusively pop, rock, or hymn festivals (even if I like the music) will receive concert credit. When in doubt as to "creditworthiness," consult me before attending. Plan ahead, and go to all your concerts! It s good for your grade, and can definitely be fun! Your primary source of concerts will be the recital hall in the Cultural Arts Building. Consult the music department events calendar for listings and updates: http://appserv02.uncw.edu/caic/events-mus.asp most of these performances are ticketed but with your UNCW ID you will receive free admission. In addition, consult the Kenan Auditorium performance calendar for events information: http://www.uncw.edu/kenan/september2008.html Ask the box office (962-3500) if needed information isn t on the website. To get credit for attending a concert: 1) Arrive on time and get a program. Ushers will stop handing out programs shortly after the concert begins; don t be late! 2) Stay for the whole concert 3) Bring the program and ticket to the next class. That will be your record of attendance for credit. No program = no credit, unless the venue staff informs us that they ran out of programs. If that happens, there should be a list for you to sign indicating your attendance. Grading scale for concert attendance: 4=100%; 3=60%; 2=40%; 1=20%; 0=0.
C. 2. Concert Reports: Essays on three (3) of the concerts you attended. The purpose of this is to discuss live music applying the terms and concepts introduced in class. Use as much musical terminology as possible. Be specific. Make notes while you are listening; it is hard to rely on memory alone. While objective specifics are the main point, subjective observations can contribute as well. Music at its best is an emotional experience, and I encourage you to offer personal reactions. What did you particularly like or dislike? Why? How did the piece make you feel? Specifications: At the top, put your name, the date and location of the concert, the title and composer of the piece, the name(s) of the performer(s), and the instruments appearing. Then the rest of the essay will be as described above. Length: 1 to 1½ pages. Times New Roman 11 or similar font. Double-spaced, 1-inch margin on all sides. Organization, grammar, and spelling are important aspects of writing and will be considered in grading. D. Exams: There will be three announced exams during the term, and the final exam. Tests will be principally multiple choice, approximately 20 to 30 questions, but there are also short answers and a few fill-ins. There will always be a listening section, which will be part II of your exam. The first three tests last about 45-50 minutes each. The final will be cumulative to the term, with some exclusions to be itemized in class; length, 65-75 minutes. F. Attendance: I hope you will come to every class, for that is the best way to learn and get good grades. Your grade will be affected and lowered one letter for every three unexcused absences. Missing a test without a documented emergency = 0 for that test. G. Grading: +/-, 10 point scale. Mid-term Exams 15% (x3) = 45% Final Exam 25% Attendance and Concert Reviews 30% Notes: I will use your UNCW student email address for our official method of communication. If you have studied the material and feel you need help beyond class, please feel free to make an appointment to see me.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY All members of UNCW s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW s position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else s ideas and represent them as your own. CAMPUS RESPECT COMPACT UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment to a civil community, characterized by mutual respect. That Compact may be accessed at: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/seahawkrespectcompact.pdf Further information about the respect Compact is available from the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test taking please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test. STATEMENT REGARDING VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. If you are experiencing an emergency of this type contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at http://www.uncw.edu/wsrc/crisis.html. USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONICS Cell phone use will not be tolerated in this class. Please turn off your cell phones prior to class. Laptops may be used in class. However, laptops will be banned from the classroom for the rest of the semester the first time any laptop user is seen engaging in non-classroom related activity.
FALL 2011 SEMESTER PLAN Note: The plan may change; changes of exams will be announced, but please always check with me about exam dates if you need to miss a class August 25 Introduction 30 Elements of Music September 1 6 Part 1 The Middle Ages 8 Part 2 The Renaissance 13 15 EXAM 1 20 Part 3 The Baroque Era 22 27 29 October 4 Part 4 The Classical Era 6 11 FALL BREAK NO CLASS 13 18 20 EXAM 2 25 Part 5 The Nineteenth Century 27 November 1 3 8 10 EXAM 3 15 Part 6 The Twentieth Century 17 22 24 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NO CLASS 29 December 1 Part 7 Music Today 6 Review for Final Exam 8 READING DAY Tuesday, December 13 th Final Exam 7:00-10:00 p.m.